Dynasties

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Winning a Section Nine track and field championship is a monumental achievement, an honor most schools have never laid claim to. Thus it is with the utmost reverence and awe that one regards the consecutive dominance of the Tri-Valley girls in Class C and the Eldred girls and boys in Class D who, with this week’s title wins, have run their streaks to seven, six and five years respectively.

For the T-V girls their seventh title was a fitting sendoff to their beloved coaches Joe and Missy Iatauro, who are retiring in June. Missy, who coaches the girls, was enshrouded by an immense group hug after the Lady Bears dusted Onteora 194.5 to 148.5.T-V was led by a trio of gold medalists abetted by a profusion of others who garnered points by placing in their events: Mareena DiMilia won the 100 hurdles (15.73) and the shot put (37-2.25). Colleen Jones took the discus (106-4), Katlynn Greffath won the high jump (4-8). Though T-V’s win was the big story of the day, honors went to others including Fallsburg’s Candhace Forrest who won the 100 (12.73) and the 200 (27.05).

Epic performances by Sullivan West freshman Courtney Meyerer resulted in second place finishes in the 400 (61:40) and in the 1600 relay (4:21.28 which she ran with Rosa Martinez, Megan Robisch and Erin Sumfleth. She also took third in the 800 (2:28:51). The Lady Bulldogs were fourth in the meet among 12 competing Class C schools. It was the swan song for Dani Myers, whose career at SW has been an epic one.

Meanwhile, the day before Eldred’s girls buried second place Chapel Field 216 to 158 while the boys beat CF 216 to 125. Kayla Maas won the 3000 (12:10.80). The Lady Yellow Jackets won the 3200 relay (11:34.61) behind the combined efforts of Sara Jane Drewett, Selena Hudak, Jessica Davis and Maas. Melissa McMonagle won the pole vault (7-0). Livingston Manor’s Ami Calo claimed the high jump (4-5) and the triple jump (33-2.75). Teammate Katherine Ellis won the discus (68-3) and the shot put (27-4.5).

Eldred boys who were victorious included Doug Leek in the 100 (11.68) and the 200 (23.73) as well as the 110 hurdles (17.63). Peter Vorstadt won the 400 hurdles (66.00) and the long jump (18-11). Jared Leon claimed the 3000 steeplechase (12:14.16) while Julian Gottlieb won the pole vault (11-0). Eldred’s Andrew Halloran, Dylan Wolff, DeLeon and Gottlieb captured the 1600 relay. In the Class C boys meet, Tri-Valley finished second to Dover. Winning Bears included Zach Nilsen in the 400 hurdles (58.06), Aric Boyes in the shot put (47-4) and Aidan Woolsey in the pole vault (11-6). Gavin Dubois won the pentathlon with 2,269 points. Josh Winters won the non-scoring javelin (151-1). Sullivan West’s Mitch Paciga took the 110 hurdles (16.27) and teammate Anthony Rydell won the discus (135-9). The Class B boys meet featured an attempt by Monticello to garner its first-ever Section IX track and field title on the heels of capturing their fourth straight Division III title. Unfortunately, they fell to New Paltz 195 to 157. Terry Duncan won the 200 (22.70), while Shane Jackson claimed the 400 (50.32). Duncan, Mistah Alli, Rahzel Smith and Trevon Rainey combined to win the 400 relay (45.09). Monticello got a big day from senior Mike Rogers who claimed third in the pole vault with a lifetime best 12-6, third in the 400 hurdles and fourth in the 110 hurdles.

In the Class B girls meet, Monticello was fourth. Port Jervis was third. Rondout Valley was victorious. Port’s Kalissa Caesar won the 100 (12.67) and the 200 (26.30) and ran a leg in the winning 400 relay. Winning Lady Monties included Laura Doherty in the 400 hurdles and Yami Reyes in the non-scoring javelin (86-3).

In baseball, defending Section IX Class C champion Tri-Valley defeated S.S. Seward 7-4 in an opening-round fray behind the fine pitching of Alex Brown. The Bears advanced to take on top-seeded Chester on the road on May 28. In boys golf Sullivan West’s Drew Billard qualified for states for the first time with his fifth place finish at the Section IX tourney. He fired a 12 over par 156. Boy’s states are at Cornell University on June 2-3.

In girls golf, Fallsburg’s Danielle Stratton qualified for her third straight state tourney (June 8-9) at SUNY Delhi with a 186. Teammate Madison Levine missed the cut for states by one stroke at 193. In softball, Sullivan West traveled to Spackenkill for an opening round in the Class B tourney.

For photos from the Section IX Class B and C meet, girls golf round one and the T-V baseball win over S.S Seward, visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com[1].